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Who is a pediatrician, and what are their qualifications?

Pediatricians are medical practitioners who specialize in children's health, development, and well-being from infancy through early adulthood. Due to their specialized training and experience in treating children, parents prefer pediatricians to other specialists. At the community level, they seek to address and prevent issues with child health care and openly promote children's rights.

Pediatricians undergo extensive education and training. They begin with a four-year undergraduate degree and study chemistry and biology as part of their pre-medical studies. They then finish medical school before specializing in pediatrics. Physiology and anatomy are among the courses they take in medical school. They also participate in clinical rotations, learning about various aspects of medicine. Many pediatricians decide which area to specialize in during their clinical rotations. 

After medical school, doctors enter a three-year residency program in pediatrics and receive additional training. After they complete the training, the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) administers a written exam. Pediatricians who pass the pediatrics exam become trusted American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP) fellows. Some pediatricians go into general practice, while subspecialized pediatricians enter fellowship programs requiring two to six years of further training. 

What are the various subspecialties in pediatrics?

Many pediatricians may function as primary care doctors, conducting routine health and wellness checkups. They diagnose and treat general health conditions, administer vaccinations, and provide appropriate health guidance to young individuals and their parents or caregivers.

Other pediatricians may specialize in treating specific medical disorders or age groups, encompassing the following subspecialties:

• Adolescent medicine specialists focus on providing care during adolescence, ranging from ages 11 to 21 years old.
• Child abuse pediatricians possess specialized training, experience, and skills to assess a child who may have experienced abuse or neglect.
• Critical care pediatricians lead teams of healthcare specialists who treat children in critical or unstable health situations. They often work in hospital-based intensive care units (ICUs).
• Developmental behavioral pediatricians evaluate the behavioral and learning development of children and teenagers.
• Neonatal-perinatal pediatricians provide care to infants before, during, and after birth, including treatment for premature and critically ill newborns.
• Pediatric cardiologists diagnose and treat various heart ailments in children, often collaborating closely with heart surgeons to determine optimal treatment plans.
• Pediatric endocrinologists specialize in the hormones produced by the endocrine system and treat various illnesses in children, including diabetes.
• Pediatric gastroenterologists focus on the health of a young person's digestive system.
• Pediatric nephrologists specialize in treating disorders affecting a child's urinary system, encompassing urinary tract infections and kidney disease.
• Pediatric neurologists manage neurological disorders in children, overseeing their patients' care from diagnosis through adolescence.
• Pediatric oncologists diagnose and treat various types of cancer in children.
• Pediatric pulmonologists diagnose and treat children with breathing issues and lung diseases.
• Pediatric rheumatologists specialize in addressing musculoskeletal disorders in children and adolescents, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain.

What is the role of pediatricians in pregnancy? 

Making an appointment with a pediatrician near you during pregnancy will make you feel more ready to give birth to your child safely. All expectant parents should see a pediatrician during the third trimester of pregnancy, as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggested. It is a crucial initial step to creating a supportive medical environment and a relationship of trust for the child. Pediatricians are especially beneficial for first-time parents, women dealing with high-risk pregnancies, and parents dealing with difficulties, expecting more than one child or adopting a child. 

Pediatricians will obtain essential information from expectant parents, provide them with knowledge and guidance, and spot high-risk conditions that might call for specialized care during pregnancy. As a new parent, discussing vaccinations can seem intimidating, but pediatricians can help break it down into achievable tasks and easily digestible information.

They can inform about immunizations that family members or parents require to safeguard the infant. They can also go through safety issues, including car seats, carbon monoxide monitors, smoke detectors, and reducing exposure to toxins such as lead and mold.

Childhood development facts you need to know about

Childhood experiences influence the development of the brain's architecture. It is the basis for all future learning, behavior, and health. A solid foundation at an early age helps children acquire the abilities they need to become well-functioning adults.

Here are some facts concerning early childhood development UNICEF urges you to be aware of:

• Babies can see and hear from birth and love reacting to their caregivers' smiles and voices. The caregiver should begin talking to them when their child is born.
• Newborns require consistent, responsive care. Babies communicate by reacting to even the slightest movement, sound, or scent from their caregiver. The newborn becomes "attached" to the person who constantly holds them, loves them, and makes them feel safe. This relationship or bond can last a lifetime.
• Curiosity is inherent in children from infancy. How they affect the people and things around them is very important to them. They learn by playing, experimenting, observing, and imitating others. The constant contact between the child and their surroundings influences their growth.
• Children learn most things while they are young. Brain growth is rapid before birth and during the early two years of life. 80% of the human brain grows between 0 and 3, and 90% develops until age five. Thus, quality, nutrition, health, and nurturing are vital.
• Childhood is all about discovering new things and talents. Therefore, providing children with a secure learning environment is crucial, as it guarantees minimum accidents and mishaps. Due to a lack of this environment, almost 200 million children under five fail to realize their full developmental potential.
• Parents must be attentive to their children's actions, sounds, and cries, as all these are their communication methods until they learn to speak. Babies, for example, show hunger by getting fussy, licking their hands, or tilting their heads toward the breast. Using these signs, a caregiver can learn to recognize when a kid is hungry before they start crying.

Why should your child visit a pediatrician?

A pediatrician has more experience than other medical professionals in diagnosing and treating childhood illnesses. Knowing why to visit a pediatrician will help you make better decisions about your child's healthcare. A child's first physical examination should occur within the first week of life. The pediatrician will thoroughly examine them to ensure that everything is fine. They may offer more specialized care if the infant is born prematurely or has a disease or medical condition requiring close monitoring.

Routine physical examinations, or annual well-child exams, should be considered for your child to ensure they develop typically. A pediatrician will assist you in determining healthy lifestyles for your child. They will provide advice on how to avoid illness and injury. Furthermore, they will provide timely and appropriate care for acute conditions to prevent their progression.

A pediatrician can provide intensive care if your child exhibits symptoms of any life-threatening conditions. You can take your child to a pediatrician if they have ear infections, common colds, or sore throats. They are also the appropriate medical professionals to consult regarding behavioral issues in children. Additionally, administer vaccines to protect your child from infections.

How can you prepare your child for the pediatrician appointment?

If your child fears going to the pediatrician, you can use various strategies to prepare them for the visit, make them comfortable, and help them have positive healthcare experiences. Here are some helpful tips: 

• Talk about the visit: Tell your child about the pediatrician appointment well in advance. You can discuss the purpose of the visit and provide a step-by-step guide to what they can expect. You can also tell positive things about the doctor. Using role-play dolls, children's books, illustrated picture cards, or animated videos can make the explanation fun and interesting. 
• Address your child's concerns: If your child is resistant to pediatrician visits, talk to them in a safe and comfortable environment. Ask them about their fears and worries about the appointment. If they find it difficult to express themselves in words, you can ask them to write, draw, or enact them. Then, address their concerns in a positive and reassuring way. For instance, if they are scared of needles, you can tell them how vaccinations will protect them from getting sick. You can also remind them that everyone they know got vaccinated as a child. 
• Introduce relaxation techniques: In the days before the appointment, practice relaxation techniques with your child, including deep breathing, guided imagery, and muscle relaxation. 
• Let them bring comfort items: Ask your child to take their favorite toy or book to the appointment. It will keep them engaged and calm in the waiting room and serve as a good distraction from uncomfortable sensations in the doctor's room.  

How do you find the best pediatricians near you in Marietta, GA?

Experience is essential to effectively addressing children's physical, behavioral, and emotional development concerns. A pediatrician with more significant experience and education will put you at ease. However, finding the right pediatrician to address your needs and requirements can take ample time and effort, thus delaying the visit. Zocdoc's goal is to enhance the patient's experience with the healthcare system, and pediatric care is no exception. 

On Zocdoc, you can enter your child's conditions or symptoms, preferred location, date, doctor specialty, and insurance plan. A comprehensive list of pediatricians will appear. Each pediatrician's profile contains qualifications, experience, areas of expertise, affiliations, honors, certifications, licensure, and other details. You can review these details to locate the best pediatricians near you in Marietta. 

If you cannot find the accurate health plan in the insurance drop-down menu in the search bar, you can use Zocdoc's insurance detector feature. Go to the account settings, locate the insurance section, and upload a clear image of your insurance card. Zocdoc will scan it and suggest your likely plan. You can add the information to the search bar and continue your search for in-network providers. Navigating medical insurance usage can be confusing, so we have prepared an FAQ insurance guide. You can access it on Zocdoc’s patient help center page if you have any queries. 

You can also bring down your search results to locate the best pediatrician based on language, gender, and hospital association. Moreover, you can check verified customer reviews on Zocdoc to make an informed decision. Once you've shortlisted a pediatrician, you can opt for virtual or in-person appointments. Zocdoc makes finding the best pediatrician near you easier!

Rest assured, all the bookings on Zocdoc are quick, free, and safe!

Pediatric health statistics in Marietta, Georgia

According to America's Health Rankings report, from 2022-2023, nearly 30.1% of children aged 10 to 17 were obese or overweight based on their height and weight. Pediatricians typically make the initial diagnosis of childhood obesity and might refer the child to a specialist, depending on the case.

Another report from the same organization stated that during the same period, nearly 7.7% of children aged 0–17 had asthma. Regular pediatric visits can diagnose and control asthma during the initial stage and provide the necessary care.

According to Georgia Child Abuse & Neglect Statistics published by the Georgia Department of Human Services, about 1,110 children were physically abused in 2023, while approximately 2,299 children suffered psychological abuse. In addition, there were around 720 cases of child sexual abuse in Georgia and 6,311 cases of child neglect. Pediatricians will recognize and treat any diseases or injuries in cases of child abuse and neglect and recommend a therapist.

Sources

American Academy of Pediatrics[1]

American Academy of Pediatrics[2]

American Academy of Pediatrics[3]

American Academy of Pediatrics[4]

American Academy of Pediatrics[5]

American Academy of Pediatrics[6]

Verywell Health

Cleveland Clinic

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

Prem Pediatrics

America's Health Rankings[1]

America's Health Rankings[2]

Georgia State University

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Mayo Clinic[1]

Mayo Clinic[2]

NC Department of Health and Human Services

UNICEF

Medical News Today

Nemours KidsHealth

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Children's Hospital Colorado

Georgia Department of Human Services

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.